Jackson, Tenn. Dec, 22, 1862

 

Dear Mother:

                        As you will see from the date of this letter, I have made quite a move since I last wrote home. Last Thursday evening, just after we had quietly settled ourselves to repose came an order, "Pack knapsacks and prepare to march immediately". It was rumored in camp that we were to take the cars and go to Jackson as that place was threatened by Bragg, but I gave very little credit to the rumour. Nevertheless we did take the cars and start towards Jackson. There were 60 of us in each car, and we were wedged in pretty tightly. I had a corner seat and managed to get along pretty comfortably. It was a curious sight to see the men so thickly stowed in, seated on their knapsacks (for do not imagine that we rode in passenger cars) each holding his gun in hand. We passed over the 100 miles of our road at a pretty rapid rate, and 11 o'clock Friday forenoon found us at Jack- / son. We were marched out to the breastworks and placed in line of battle. Every road into the town was blockaded with breastworks of cotton bales, and an attack was hourly expected. Nevertheless Friday afternoon and night passed and brought with them no attack, nor did there seem to be any signs of the an enemy in our vicinity. About 7½ o'clock Saturday morning, we were moved out and took the road towards Lexington. We marched about 18 miles and then encamped for the night. The next day we took the back track and returned to Jackson. We did some pretty good marching that day. At 1½ o'clock we made Jackson. Two regiments of our Brigade only are here (the 27^th and 39^th) and out of those two Regiments not a half dozen men straggled behind. Very different was it however with some new Illinois regiments that were with us. They did not reach camp until some two or three hours after we did, and many of them / straggled along even long after that.

 

            You remarked in your letter that the newspaper correspondents said the rainy season had set in. Instead of that we have been having most of the time beautiful weather. The nights are sometimes pretty cool, but I have not suffered from cold at all. We have been without tents since we left Oxford; but I have slept very comfortably every night. This country does not certainly much resemble the North in its winter season.

 

            You speak about sending a box to me. Unless we are stationed here I do not think that it will be expedient. Quite a number of the boys have had boxes expressed to them; but in consequence of our moving so much they cannot get them. If I think it expedient, I will write you hereafter. I feel very grateful for the kind remembrance of me manifested by you and the other friends, and am sorry that I am prevented from receiving your tokens of remembrance. /

I write these few lines to you not knowing when I shall have an opportunity to send them. Our communication is cut off, but I presume we shall soon again have the trains running.

 

            I received your money, for which I am thankful, but I need stamps for letters and cannot buy them here. Please send a few immediately, as I have not a single one and will have hard work to borrow one to send even this letter.

                                                                                   

From your son

Geo. R. Gear.

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